Optical disc and remote control device

ABSTRACT

The objective of the present invention is to provide an optical disc which solves the problem that search for data recorded on an exchange-type medium such as an optical disc and the like and which allows search for data recorded in an optical disc to be performed with a simple operation. A transmitting/receiving antenna  231  is provided in an inner peripheral portion of an optical disc. An IC module  201  connected with transmission/reception IC  230  including ID information is formed and embedded into a substrate the optical disc. Thus, an optical disc incorporating an IC module which can be produced on a mass-production basis can be achieved.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an optical disc and a remote controldevice.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, ID information is becoming more important.Experimentation on incorporating integrated circuits including IDinformation has been attempted. Such kinds of applications are expectedto continue in the future (see, for example, Japanese Laid-OpenPublication No. 2002-83482). Conventionally, a method for physicallysearching a portable-type optical disc which includes an IC including IDinformation has not been proposed.

Portable-type optical discs are dispersed after recording of thecontents due to their portability. Thus, there is a demand for a methodof searching for contents which have been recorded in the portableoptical discs. The objective of the present invention is to provide anoptical disc and a remote control device which enable searching forcontents recorded on an optical disc by mounting an IC including IDinformation on an optical disc.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, a transmitting antenna and areceiving antenna are provided in an inner peripheral portion of anoptical disc, and a transmission/reception IC which stores IDinformation of the optical disc is connected to the antennas.

With such an optical disc, a system which can search for ID informationof an optical disc from a recording/reproduction apparatus over radiowaves can be provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of an optical disc according to one embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 2(a) is a top view of an optical disc according to one embodimentof the present invention, and FIG. 2(b) is a top view of a tip portionof an optical disc according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3(a) is an electrolytic profile showing a directivity of an antennaA, and FIG. 3(b) is an electrolytic profile showing a directivity of anantenna B, and FIG. 3(c) is an electrolytic profile showing adirectionality of the antenna A plus the antenna B.

FIG. 4(a) is a top view of an optical disc according to one embodimentof the present invention, and FIG. 4(b) is a top view of a tip portionof an optical disc according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an appearance of an optical disc accordingto one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing structures of an optical disc, aremote control, and a recording/reproduction apparatus according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a timing diagram showing a reception signal and a detectionsignal according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a waveform profile of a reception signal and a detectionsignal according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a data structure of a disc information fileaccording to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a data structure of a disc information fileaccording to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing a procedure according to one embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing a procedure according to one embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an operation of an optical disc and aremote control according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an operation flow of an optical disc and aremote control according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 15(a)-(c) show an operation of a tray of a recording/reproductionapparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a top view of an optical disc according to one embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIGS. 17(a)-(d) are diagrams showing an attachment operation of a discaccording to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing a process procedure according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing a process procedure according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing a process procedure according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing a structure of arecording/reproduction apparatus according to one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 22 is a flow chart showing a procedure according to one embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a flow chart showing a procedure according to one embodimentof the present invention.

FIGS. 24(a)-(c) are diagrams showing a method for detecting IDinformation according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a top view of an optical disc according to one embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 26 is a flow chart showing a procedure according to one embodimentof the present invention.

FIGS. 27(a)-(c) are cross-sectional views illustrating a step of forminga substrate with an embedding hole according to one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a step of forming asubstrate with an embedding hole according to one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIGS. 29(a)-(e) are diagrams showing a positional relationship betweenan IC module and an information layer in a substrate according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 30(a)-(e) are diagrams showing a step of forming an angleidentification mark according to one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 31(a) is a top view of an antenna portion of an optical discaccording to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 31(b) isa cross-sectional view of an antenna portion of an optical discaccording to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an IC module of anantenna portion of an optical disc according to one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIGS. 33(a) and (b) are cross-sectional views illustrating a step ofbonding an antenna portion of an optical disc according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 34(a) and (b) are cross-sectional views illustrating a stepforming an inner peripheral portion of an optical disc according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 35 is a diagram illustrating a step of producing an IC moduleaccording to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 36(a)-(f) are diagrams illustrating a step of producing an ICmodule according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 37 is a diagram showing an efficiency of an antenna according toone embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 38(a) is a diagram showing a directly-formed antenna; FIG. 38(b) isa diagram illustrating a step of directly bonding an IC according to oneembodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 38(c) is a diagramillustrating a step of mounting an IC using a sub-substrate according toone embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 39(a)-(d) are diagrams illustrating a step of mounting asingle-wound antenna and an IC.

FIGS. 40(a)-(e) are diagrams illustrating a step of mounting amultiple-wound antenna and an IC.

FIG. 41 is a diagram showing a structure of an information layeraccording to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 42 is a diagram illustrating a step of forming antenna wiring,capacitor during a film formation step for an information layeraccording to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 43(a)-(c) are diagrams illustrating a step of forming an IC, anantenna, and a capacitor according to one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 44(a)-(c) are diagrams showing a resonance circuit according tosome embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 45(a) is a diagram showing a shape of a mask according to oneembodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 45(b) is a diagram showinga step of forming four films at the same time according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 46(a) is a diagram showing a step of producing an IC blockaccording to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 46(b) is adiagram showing a step of producing a disc according to one embodimentof the present invention; and FIG. 46(c) is a diagram showing anequivalent resonance circuit according to one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 47(a) is a diagram showing a shape of a mask according to oneembodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 47(b) is a top view of anantenna and a reflective film which have been formed according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 48(a) is a diagram showing a shape of a mask according to oneembodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 48(b) is a top view of anantenna and a reflective film which have been formed according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 49(a) is a view of a back surface of an antenna according to oneembodiment of the present invention; FIG. 49(b) is a top view of anantenna according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 49(c)is a view of a back surface of an antenna according to one embodiment ofthe present invention; FIG. 49(d) is a cross-sectional view of anantenna according to one embodiment of the present invention; and FIG.49(e) is an enlarged cross-sectional view according to one embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 50(a) is a top view of a remote control according to one embodimentof the present invention; FIG. 50(b) is a side view of a remote controlaccording to one embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 50(c) isa view of a back surface of a remote control according to one embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 51 is a diagram showing a communication flow of a remote controland a reproducing apparatus according to one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 52 is a diagram showing a communication flow of a remote controland a recording/reproduction apparatus according to one embodiment ofthe present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be describedwith reference to the drawings.

(Structure of Optical Disc)

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention when applied to arecording medium having a disc shape will be described.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a structure of an optical disc1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In an inner peripheral portion of the optical disc 1, a transmittingantenna 2 and a receiving antenna 3 are provided. The transmittingantenna 2 and the receiving antenna 3 are formed along a circumferentialdirection of the optical disc 1. In this example, the transmittingantenna 2 and the receiving antenna 3 are both dipole antennas.

In the inner peripheral portion of the optical disc 1, atransmission/reception IC 4 connected to the transmitting antenna 2 andthe receiving antenna 3 is further provided. The transmission/receptionIC 4 receives radio waves via the receiving antenna 3 and transmitsradio waves via the transmitting antenna 2. In this example, thetransmission/reception IC 4 is formed on a chip. The chip is called anRFID chip.

In a central portion of the optical disc 1, a hole 5 which allows theoptical disc 1 to be attached to a rotation member for rotating theoptical disc 1 is provided.

In an outer peripheral portion of the optical disc 1, an informationlayer 6, on which information can be recorded or from which informationcan be reproduced, is provided. The information layer 6 is formedbetween a substrate 7 and a transparent layer 8. An adhesive layer 9 isformed between the substrate 7 and the information layer 6.

FIG. 2(a) is an enlarged view of a portion around the transmittingantenna 2 and the receiving antenna 3 shown in FIG. 1.

The transmitting antenna 2 includes transmitting antenna portions 2 aand 2 b. The receiving antenna 3 includes receiving antenna portions 3 aand 3 b. The transmitting antenna portions 2 a and 2 b are arranged soas to have an orientation shifted by 90° from an orientation of thereceiving antenna portions 3 a and 3 b.

FIG. 2(b) is a portion around the transmission/reception IC 4 shown inFIG. 1.

The receiving antenna portions 3 a and 3 b are connected to thetransmission/reception IC 4 via a relay substrate 11. The transmittingantenna portions 2 a and 2 b are connected to the transmission/receptionIC 4 via wiring 10 a and 10 b and the relay substrate 11. The wiring 10a extends the transmitting antenna portion 2 a. The wiring 10 b extendsthe transmitting antenna portion 2 b. The wiring 10 a and 10 b areparallel to each other.

As indicated by a cross-section along B-B′ in FIG. 2(a), a portion ofthe substrate 7 in which the relay substrate 11 is located is dug downby thickness d. The thickness d is designed such that thetransmission/reception IC 4 will not be in contact with arecording/reproduction apparatus when the optical disc 1 is attached tothe recording/reproduction apparatus. Herein, the recording/reproductionapparatus is an apparatus which performs at least one of a recordingoperation for recording information on the optical disc 1 and areproduction operation for reproducing information recorded on theoptical disc 1.

When the length of the transmitting antenna portions 2 a and 2 b (or thereceiving antenna portions 3 a and 3 b) of a dipole antenna is L and thewavelength is λ, L=λ/4 and λ=300/f. Thus, for a frequency of 2.4 GHz,λ=125 mm and L=31.3 mm. Accordingly, it is possible to provide thetransmitting antenna 2 and the receiving antenna 3 in an innerperipheral portion of a standard optical disc having a diameter of 120mm.

With reference to FIG. 3, a directivity of dipole antennas will bedescribed.

FIG. 3(a) shows a directivity of a dipole antenna A. It is shown thatthe antenna A is not sensitive in a longitudinal direction of dipoles ofthe antenna A (i.e., y direction).

FIG. 3(b) shows a directivity of a dipole antenna B shifted by 90° withrespect to the dipole antenna A. It is shown that the antenna B is notsensitive in a longitudinal direction of dipoles of the antenna B (i.e.,x direction).

FIG. 3(c) shows a directivity of an antenna in the case in which thedipole antenna A and the dipole antenna B are arranged in combination.The dipole antenna B is arranged so as to be shifted by 90° with respectto the dipole antenna A. It is shown that an antenna which is sensitivein all directions can be implemented by arranging the antennas A and Bsuch that a dead zone of the antenna A and a dead zone of the antenna Bare orthogonal to each other.

The transmitting antenna 2 (FIG. 1) and the receiving antenna 3 (FIG. 1)are arranged so that the dead zone of the transmitting antenna 2 and thedead zone of the receiving antenna 3 are orthogonal to each other. Thus,as shown in FIG. 3(c) an antenna which is sensitive in all directionscan be implemented. As a result, regardless of an orientation of theoptical disc 1, ID information (RFID) stored in thetransmission/reception IC 4 of the optical disc 1 can be detected.

FIG. 4(a) shows another example of the structure of the optical disc 1according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, aloop-type antenna is used instead of a dipole antenna.

In an inner peripheral portion of the optical disc 1, a transmittingantenna 2 and a receiving antenna 3 are provided. The transmittingantenna 2 and the receiving antenna 3 are formed along a circumferentialdirection of the optical disc 1. In this example, the transmittingantenna 2 and the receiving antenna 3 are both loop antennas. Thereceiving antenna 3 is positioned such than it is closer to the outerperiphery compared to the receiving antenna 2.

In the inner peripheral portion of the optical disc 1, atransmission/reception IC 4 connected to the transmitting antenna 2 andthe receiving antenna 3 is further provided (see FIG. 4(b)). Thetransmission/reception IC 4 receives radio waves via the receivingantenna 3 and transmits radio waves via the transmitting antenna 2.

FIG. 4(b) is an enlarged view of portion A shown in FIG. 4(a). Terminals2 a and 2 b of the transmitting antenna 2 and terminals 3 a and 3 b ofthe receiving antenna 3 are connected to the transmission/reception IC 4via a relay substrate 11.

When the length of the circumference of the loop antenna is L and thewavelength is λ, the antennas are set to be L=λ. Since λ=300/f, λ=125mm. For a frequency f GHz, based on an empirical rule, a film thicknessof an antenna is 2/√{square root over ( )}f μm. Accordingly, when f=2.45GHz, a film thickness of an antenna may be 1.5 μm or more.

As described above, an antenna formed along a circumferential directionof an optical disc 1 and an optical disc 1 including atransmission/reception IC 4 for transmitting/receiving radio waves viathe antennas are within the scope of the present invention. An antennawhich is formed on the optical disc 1 is not limited to theabove-mentioned two-types of antennas (i.e., dipole antenna and loopantenna).

(Method for Obtaining ID by Remote Control)

FIG. 5 shows an appearance of the optical disc 1, a remote control 15, arecording/reproduction apparatus 35 and a display portion 100. FIG. 6shows an example of the structure of the optical disc 1, remote control15 and recording/reproduction apparatus 35.

When a view button 16 of the remote control is pressed, radio waveshaving a particular frequency (for example, 2.45 GHz) radiate from atransmitting section 17 and a transmitting antenna 18 to the opticaldisc 1, as indicated by an arrow 19 a. Such radio waves are received bythe receiving antenna 3 of the optical disc 1 and detected by adetection section 21 of a receiving circuit 20. Thus, power 22 and asignal are obtained. The power 22 is sent to a signal generation section23 and temporarily accumulated in a power accumulation section 24 suchas a capacitor or the like. This feeble power is used to read out ID 25in an ID number storage section 26. An ID number generation section 27and a modulation section 28 generate a modulation signal including theID number. The modulation signal is delayed by a time periodcorresponding to a time constant 30 by a time adjusting section 29. Thetime constant 30 is preset when the transmission/reception ICs 4 isfabricated such that every transmission/reception ICs 4 has a differenttime constant 30.

The ID 25 is information for identifying the optical disc 1. The ID 25is also called ID information. The ID 25 is not limited to a number (itmay be a combination of alphanumeric characters, symbols and the like).The signal generation section 23 generates a signal including IDinformation in response to a signal output from the receiving circuit(receiving section) 20.

FIG. 7 shows an example of waveforms of a reception signal received fromthe remote control 15, response signals from a plurality of opticaldiscs 1 (#1-#4) responding to the reception signal, and a detectionsignal detected by the remote control 15.

The optical discs #1, #2, #3, and #4 have different response times t₁,t₂, t₃ and t₄ to the reception signal from the remote control 15. Thisis because the time constants 30 in the transmission/reception ICs 4mounted on the optical discs #1 through #4 are different from eachother. Thus, waveforms of the response signals from the optical discs #1through #4 are different as shown in FIG. 7.

The waveform of the detection signal detected by the remote control 15is as shown in FIG. 7. The response signals from the optical discs #1through #4 are separated in a time-wise manner from each other. Thus,even when a plurality of optical discs 1 are present within the scopethat the radio waves from the remote control 15 can reach, the remotecontrol 15 can separate signals transmitted from a plurality of opticaldiscs 1 in a time-wise manner and detect them. In this way, collision ofthe response signals from a plurality of optical discs 1 can beprevented.

In the remote control 15, the response signals from a plurality ofoptical discs 1 are separated in a time-wise manner by time separationmeans 32 (FIG. 6). Thus, IDs of the optical discs 1 can be identifiedstably.

Instead of presetting the time constants 30 such that everytransmission/reception IC 4 has a different time constants 30, a randomnumber generation section 34 for generating time constants at random maybe provided to achieve similar effects.

FIG. 8 shows another example of waveforms of a reception signal receivedfrom the remote control 15, response signals from a plurality of theoptical discs 1 (#1-#4) responding to the reception signal, and adetection signal detected by the remote control 15.

The optical discs #1, #2, #3, and #4 have response signals havingdifferent amounts of shifts f₁, f₂, f₃ and f₄ in central frequenciesfrom that of the reception signal from the remote control 15 (forexample, an excitation signal having a particular central frequency).This is because the frequencies set by frequency setting sections 31 inthe transmission/reception ICs 4 mounted on the optical discs #1 through#4 are different from each other. Thus, waveforms of the responsesignals from the optical discs #1 through #4 are different as shown inFIG. 8.

The waveform of the detection signal detected by the remote control 15is as shown in FIG. 8. The response signals from the optical discs #1through #4 are separated from each other with respect to thefrequencies. Thus, even when a plurality of optical discs 1 are presentwithin the scope that the radio waves from the remote control 15 canreach, the remote control 15 can separate signals transmitted from aplurality of optical discs 1 with respect to the frequencies and detectthem. In this way, collision of the response signals from a plurality ofoptical discs 1 can be prevented.

In the remote control 15, the response signals from a plurality ofoptical discs 1 are separated with respect to the frequencies byfrequency separation means 33 (FIG. 6). Thus, IDs of the optical discs 1can be identified stably even within one time zone.

In the examples shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the number of optical discs 1which respond to the reception signal is not limited to four. N numberof optical discs 1 may respond to the reception signal. Herein, n is anyinteger of 1 or greater.

Further, in an example shown in FIG. 6, the time adjusting section 29and the frequency setting section 31 are both included in the signalgeneration section 23. This example is preferable because the responsesignals from a plurality of optical discs 1 can be separated in atime-wise manner and also with respect to the frequencies. However, thesignal generation section 23 may include only one of the time adjustingsection 29 and the frequency setting section 31. In this case, it issufficient if only one of the time separation means 32 and the frequencyseparation means 33 is included in the receiving section of the remotecontrol 15.

(Management of Disc Information by Recording/Reproduction Apparatus)

Next, with reference to FIG. 6, exchange of data between the remotecontrol 15 and the recording/reproduction apparatus 35 will bedescribed.

ID reproduction section 36 receives a reception signal including ID andgenerates ID information 37. The ID information 37 is output to aprocessing section 38. The processing section 38 displays the IDinformation 37 on a display portion 39 of the remote control 15 andtransmits the ID information 37 to a receiving section 44 of acommunication section 41 of the recording/reproduction apparatus 35 froma transmitting section 42 of a communication section 40. A method ofcommunication between the communication section 40 and the communicationsection 41 may be an optical communication or may be a radiocommunication.

In the case where the communication between the communication section 40and the communication section 41 is an optical communication, a lightemitting portion for transmitting a remote control signal which isnormally equipped to the remote control 15 may also serve as thetransmitting section 42 and a light receiving portion for receiving theremote control signal which is usually equipped to therecording/reproduction apparatus 35 may also serve as the receivingsection 44. In this case, it is not necessary to additionally provide atransmitting section 42 and a receiving section 44. Thus, a set of atransmitting/receiving unit (light receiving/emitting unit) can beomitted.

In the case where the communication between the communication section 40and the communication section 41 is a radio communication, bidirectionalcommunication can be performed between the communication section 40 andthe communication section 41 by providing a transmitting antenna 46 anda receiving antenna 47 in the communication section 40, providing atransmitting antenna 49 and a receiving antenna 48 in the communicationsection 41, and using Bluetooth using radio waves of frequency 2.4 GHzor local area wireless network such as IEEE 802.11b. In this case, atransmitting antenna 46 of the remote control 15 may also serve as thetransmitting antenna 18 and a receiving antenna 47 may also serve as thereceiving antenna 50. Thus, a set of transmitting/receiving antennas canbe omitted.

The receiving section 44 of the communication section 41 outputs thereceived ID information 37 to the processing section 51. In theprocessing section 51, a search section 52 searches a disc informationfile 53 and obtains disc physical property information 54, disc logicinformation 55 or the like corresponding to the ID information 37.

FIG. 9 shows an example of the data structure of the disc informationfile 53.

In the disc information file 53, a disc management number 57 is assignedto the ID information 37. ID information 37 is data equal to or greaterthan 100 bits (for example, data of 128 bits). By using disc managementnumber 57 (for example, “04”), i.e., a virtual ID having a data amountsmaller than that of the ID information 37, it becomes possible tomanage IDs with smaller amount of data.

The disc information file 53 includes the disc physical propertyinformation 54 and the disc logic information 55 for each ID.

The disc physical property information 54 includes data indicating atotal storage capacity 58 of the disc, a remaining capacity 59 of thedisc, disc type 60 (such as rewritable type, write-once type, or ROM),the number of layers 61 of the disc (single layer or double layer) andthe like.

The disc logic information 55 includes information regarding a programrecorded on the disc (program information 70). The program information70 includes property data of the program, information regardingcontents, thumbnails of the contents and the like.

FIG. 10 shows program information 70 a and 70 b as examples of theprogram information 70 in the disc logic information 55.

The program information 70 a indicates program information of program 1.The program information 70 a includes a program ID 71, property data 72,and contents data 86.

The property data 72 includes a start address 73, an end address 74,total recording time 75, an ID of the program coming after the currentprogram (program ID of link destination) 76, time to start and finishrecording (recording time) 77, a recording source or a TV channel number78, a program title 79, property information of the contents of theprogram 80 (a category of the program 81, a name of the charactersappearing in the program 82, an area 83, program contents 84 and thelike). Furthermore, in the case of a program linked to a web site, theproperty data 72 further includes an address of a web site of a linkdestination (URL) 85.

The contents data 86 includes a still picture 87 (for example, a stillpicture in JPEG format or the like of the first scene of program 1) andmotion picture data 88 for first few seconds (a low-resolution motionpicture 89 in MPEG 4 format or the like and a representative screen(thumbnail) of a high-resolution motion picture 90 at a high rate inMPEG 2 format or the like. The contents data 86 may include thumbnaildata 91 which is a collection of the thumbnails.

With reference to flow charts of FIGS. 11 and 12, a method for obtainingID and displaying property information and thumbnails of the contents ofthe corresponding disc by using the ID will be described.

In step 95 a, the recording/reproduction apparatus 35 waits to obtainthe ID information that is to be sent from the remote control 15. Instep 95 b, the recording/reproduction apparatus 35 obtains new IDinformation which is different from the current ID information it has.Then, in step 95 c, the processing section 51 defines the new IDinformation as the n-th ID information (i.e., ID(n)). In step 95 d, theprocessing section 51 searches the disc information file 53 (FIGS. 9 and10) using the search section 52. In step 95 e, the processing section 51determines whether there is data regarding ID(n) in the disc informationfile 53. If it is determined “Yes” in step 95 e (i.e., if there is dataregarding ID(n) in the disc information file 53), in step 95 f, theprocessing section 51 determines whether the remote control 15 has thecapability to display the image, or there is an image display requestfrom the remote control 15. If it is determined “Yes” in step 95 f, m=0in step 95 g and m is incremented by 1 in step 95 h. In step 95 j, theprocessing section 51 reads out image data (motion picture data 89 and90, still picture data 87, or thumbnail data 91 (FIG. 10)) of m-thprogram information 72 (program m) corresponding ID(n) from the discinformation file 53 by using the search section 52. In step 95 k, theprocessing section 51 transmits image data to the remote control 15 viathe communication channel (a transmitting section 45 and thetransmitting antenna 49). In step 95 m, the receiving section 43 of theremote control 15 receives the image data. In step 95 n, the processingsection 38 extends the received image data using an image decoder 100and displays the extended image data in the display portion 39 (FIG.13(d)). In this way, motion picture or still picture of thumbnails ofdata of contents recorded in the optical disc 1 can be confirmed by onlybringing the remote control 15 close to the optical disc 1, withoutattaching the optical disc 1 to the recording/reproduction apparatus 35.In step 95 p, the processing section 38 determines whether the displayof the image data is completed or not and continues displaying the imagedata until the display of the image data is completed. Even after thedisplay of the image data is completed, in step 95 q, the processingsection 38 continues displaying the image data until a next new imagedisplay request arrives, or until a certain amount of time has elapsed.The next new image display request may be issued by, for example, a userpressing a next screen button 101 of the remote control 15 (FIG. 5). Ifthere is a next new image display request, it is determined “Yes” instep 95 q, and the process proceeds to step 95 y. In step 95 y, it isdetermined whether m is the last or not. If m is not the last, theprocess proceeds to step 95 h. In step 95 h, m is incremented by 1. Instep 95 j, the processing section 38 displays the next new image on thedisplay portion 39.

For example, in the case where the motion picture of a thumbnail of theprogram is displayed on the display portion 39 of the remote control 15,motion picture data is sent from the recording/reproduction apparatus 35(server) to the remote control 15. The processing section 51 reads outmotion picture data showing a thumbnail of program 1 (for example,motion picture data for the first 5 seconds of program 1) from the discinformation file 53 and sends it to the remote control 15. The motionpicture data is, for example, low-resolution motion picture data 89 ofMPEG 4 grade. The processing section 38 receives the motion picture dataand displays it on the displaying portion 39 (FIG. 13(d)). When the userpresses the next screen button 101 of the remote control 15, theprocessing section 51 reads out motion picture data showing a thumbnailof program 2 (for example, motion picture data for the first 5 secondsof program 2) from the disc information file 53 and sends it to theremote control 15. The processing section 38 receives motion picturedata and displays it on the displaying portion 39 (FIG. 13(d)).

In step 95 q, in the case where the next image display request isissued, or a previous screen display request is issued by the userpressing a previous screen button 102 of the remote control 15, if m isthe last in step 95 y, the process returns to the first step 95 a andthe recording/reproduction apparatus 35 waits to obtain the next IDinformation. Thereafter, the same operation as described above isperformed.

In this embodiment, normal quality images and low resolution motionpicture 89 are both recorded in the disc information file 53. However,only normal quality images may be recorded in the disc information file53. In this case, when a normal quality image is output, by performingrate conversion for a normal quality image (for example, MPEG2 image of6 Mbps), the low-resolution motion picture 89 (for example, MPEG 4 imageof 384 kbps) may be obtained and the low-resolution motion picture 89may be sent to the remote control 15.

(Operation When an Image is Not Displayed on Remote Control)

If it is determined “No” in step 95 f (i.e., when an image is notdisplayed on the remote control 15), the process proceeds to steps 96 athrough 96 c shown in FIG. 12. If it is determined “No” in step 96 c,the process proceeds to step 96 d. In step 96 d, the processing section51 reads out the property data 72 of m-th program information 72(program m) corresponding to ID (n) using the search section 52, and, instep 96 e, transmits it through a communication path and finally to theremote control 15. In step 96 f, the receiving section 43 of the remotecontrol 15 receives the property data. In step 96 g, the processingsection 38 displays the property data (for example, remaining capacity)or the program list on the display portion 39. When the program list isdisplayed on the display portion 39, if the user presses a down key 104of the remote control 15 (FIG. 14), the program in a downward directionin the screen is selected.

For displaying the program list on the display portion 39 of the remotecontrol 15, as shown in FIG. 14, the user may (1) bring the remotecontrol 15 close to the optical disc 1 and (2) press a view button 16 ofthe remote control 15. In response, the remote control 15 (3) reads outthe ID of the optical disc 1 and (4) transmits the ID read by the remotecontrol 15 to the recording/reproduction apparatus 35. Therecording/reproduction apparatus 35 (5) searches the database to obtainthe program list data and (6) sends the program list data to the remotecontrol 15. Thus, the program list is displayed on the display portion39 of the remote control 15. When the user presses the down key 104 ofthe remote control 15, (7) the program in a downward direction isselected.

With reference to the flow chart of FIG. 12, a procedure for displayingthe program list will be explained.

In step 96 h, the processing section 38 determines whether or notdisplaying the property data or the program list is completed andcontinues displaying the property data or the program list untildisplaying the property data or the program list is completed (FIG. 14).In step 96 i, the processing section 38 determines whether the programlist is displayed on the display portion 39. If it is determined “Yes”in step 96 i, in step 96 k, the processing section 38 determines whetherany of the scroll buttons 101 through 104 (FIG. 14) is pressed or not.If it is determined “Yes” in step 96 k, in step 96 m, the processingsection 38 changes a program mark in the program list. Next, if aselection button 105 or an image button 106 (FIG. 14) is pressed, instep 96 p, the processing section 38 determines whether it is possibleto display the image. If it is determined “Yes” in step 96 p, in step 96q, the processing section 38 displays a thumbnail image, motion picture,or still picture of the selected program on the display portion 39. Instep 96 r, the processing section 38 determines whether or not theprogram list is completed. If it is determined “Yes” in step 96 r, theprocess proceeds to step 96 j. If it is determined “No” in step 96 p(i.e., if the image cannot be displayed), the process proceeds to step96 s. In step 96 s, the processing section 38 displays the detailedproperty data of the marked program on the display portion 39. Theproperty data is read from the disc information file 53, sent to theremote control 15, and displayed on the display portion 39 of the remotecontrol 15. As shown in FIG. 10, the property data includes, forexample, category 81, name 82, area 83 and contents 84 of the program,billing identifier 85 a which indicates whether or not viewing theprogram requires payment, and link destination address 85 whichindicates an address or URL of a website for decoding and billing. Instep 96 f, the processing section 38 determines whether the program listis completed. If it is determined “Yes” in step 96 f, the processproceeds to step 96 j. In step 96 j, the processing section 38determines whether there is a request for displaying the next propertydata. If it is determined “Yes” in step 96 j, the process returns tostep 96 b, and the operation of incrementing m by 1, reading out them-th property data from the disc information file 53, and displaying theread out property data on the display portion 39 is repeated.

(Operation Linked with Other Machines)

In step 95 r, the processing section 51 determines whether or not it ispossible to connect to other machines or servers. If it is determined“No” in step 95 r, the process proceeds to step 95 u. In step 95 u, theprocessing section 51 sends a message of “No data” or informationindicating the message to the remote control 15 via the communicationchannel and displays the message or the information indicating themessage on the display portion 39. If it is determined “Yes” in step 95r, in step 95 s, the processing section 51 connects to anothersubmachine 35 a via the communication section 41, a communicationchannel 283 and a communication section 41 a. The communication channel283 may be wired or wireless, or may be the internet 284 as shown inFIG. 6. In step 95 s, a processing section 51 a of the submachine 35 asearches a disc information file 53. In step 95 t, the processingsection 51 a determines whether the disc information file includes thedata corresponding to ID (n). If it is determined “Yes” in step 95 t,the process proceeds to step 95 v. In step 95 v, the processing section51 determines whether the remote control 15 has a capability to displaythe image, or there is an image display request from the remote control15. If it is determined “Yes” in step 95 v, in step 95 w, the processingsection 51 reads out the image data corresponding to ID (n) from thedisc information file 53. In step 95 x, the processing section 51 sendsthe read out image data to the master machine (i.e., therecording/reproduction apparatus 35 in FIG. 6) via the communicationsection 41 a, the communication channel 283 and the communicationsection 41. Then, the process returns to step 95 k.

If it is determined “No” in step 95 v (i.e., if the remote control 15cannot display the image), the process proceeds to step 96 j of FIG. 12,the processing section 51 reads out m-th property data corresponding toID(n) from the disc information file 53. In step 95 k, the processingsection 51 sends the read out property data to the master machine (i.e.,the recording/reproduction apparatus 35 in FIG. 6) via the communicationsection 41 a, the communication channel 283 and the communicationsection 41. Then, the process proceeds to step 96 e. In step 96 e, theproperty data is finally sent to the remote control 15 from the mastermachine. Finally, the property data is displayed on the display portion39 of the remote control 15.

(Method for Reducing Time Loss during Recording/Reproduction inRecording/Reproduction Apparatus)

Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 18, a procedure forcreating a disc information file in the recording/reproduction apparatus35 will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 15(a) and (b), a main unit antenna 110 is providednear a tray 113 in which the optical disc 1 is set. A tray antenna 112is provided inside the tray 113.

The main unit antenna 110 transmits radio waves periodically or when thetray 113 is slid out (step 111 a). Thus, when the optical disc 1 onwhich an ID chip is mounted is brought near the tray 113 (step 111 b),ID information of the optical disc 1 is read out by radio wavestransmitted from the main unit antenna 110. It is determined whetherreading out the ID information of the optical disc 1 is completed (step111 c).

When the optical disc 1 is set in the tray 113, the set signal is turnedON (step 111 d). When the set signal is turned ON, the tray antenna 112transmits radio waves (step 111 e). By the radio waves transmitted fromthe tray antenna 112, the ID information of the optical disc 1 is readout. It is determined whether reading out the ID information of theoptical disc 1 is completed (step 111 f).

At this step, it is recognized which of the optical discs 1 will beinserted into the recording/reproduction apparatus 35 for reproductionor recording. Thus, the reproduction or recording can be started usingdata in the disc information file 53 in the recording/reproductionapparatus 35.

After reading out the ID information is completed, the tray 113 isstored as shown in FIG. 17 (step 111 g), and the optical disc 1 isattached to a rotation motor member 121. Rotation of the optical disc 1is started (step 111 h).

As shown in FIG. 16, in an inner peripheral portion of the optical disc1, bar codes 114 called BCA are formed circumferentially. The bar codes114 record ID numbers which are different for every optical disc 1. Inthe factory, BCA information, which corresponds to the ID informationstored in the transmission/reception IC 4 to be mounted on the opticaldisc 1 (hereinafter, referred to as the ID information of the IC), isrecorded in the BCA. Of course, BCA information same as the IDinformation of the IC may be included. Hereinafter, ID informationincluded in BCA information is referred to as ID information of the BCA.In the normal optical disc 1, the ID information of the IC and the IDinformation of the BCA match. The recording/reproduction apparatus 35reads out the ID information of the BCA (step 111 j), verifies the IDinformation of the BCA and the ID information of the IC (step 111 j),and determines whether they match or have a particular relationship(step 111 k). If it is determined “No” in step 111 k, therecording/reproduction apparatus 35 regards the optical disc 1 as aninvalid disc and stops recording or reproduction (step 111 m). The tray113 is slid out (step 111 n), and “Invalid ID information” is displayedon a display potion 151 (FIG. 21) (step 111 p). In this way, invalid useof a disc such as an unauthorized duplication, an unauthorizedreproduction and the like can be prevented.

If the optical disc 1 is used in the recording/reproduction apparatus 35for the first time, the ID information 37 read from the optical disc 1by radio waves and optical ID information 115 optically read from theBCA are recorded in the disc information file 53 as shown in FIG. 9.Media ID 116 and a cryptographic key block 117 are recorded in the discinformation file 53 as shown in FIG. 9 (step 111 q). Further, in thecase where the optical disc 1 is a writable-type disc, a key which issuitable for the machine is selected from the cryptographic key block117 which is called MKB (Media Key Block) for copyright protection whichlimits duplication over multiple generations, and encodes the contentsor the information corresponding the contents using the cryptographickey and the media ID 116 corresponding to the optical ID information 115to record in the recording region of the optical disc 1 (step 111 r).

In step 111 s, a still picture image encoder 131 (FIG. 21) compressesthe first still picture of each scene in the contents input from aninput section 130. A thumbnail processing section 135 records stillpictures compressed by the still picture image encoder 131 in the discinformation file 53. A low-definition image encoder 132 (FIG. 21)creates thumbnails of low-definition image such as MPEG 4 based oncontents input from the input section 130 for a particular amount oftime (for example, 20 seconds). The thumbnail processing section 135records thumbnails of low-definition image created by the low-definitionimage encoder 132 in the disc information file 53. Further, a normalquality image is compressed by an image encoder 133 and recorded in thedisc information file 53. If it is determined that a copyrightprotection flag is ON in step 111 t, contents encrypted by an encryptionencoder 134 is recorded in the disc information file 53 (step 111 u).

With reference to a flow chart of FIG. 19, the procedure continued fromthe flow chart of FIG. 18 will be described. In step 119 a, when anoptical disc 1 is brought close to the tray 113, detection signal is ONbecause an approach sensor 150 is provided in front of the tray 113 asshown in FIGS. 15 and 21. In step 119 b, the antenna 110 transmits radiowaves for detection. In step 119 c, a response signal including the IDinformation is sent back from the optical disc 1. Thus, reading out theID information is completed. In step 119 d, when the optical disc 1 isset in the tray 113, a set signal is ON and the antenna 112 transmitsradio waves to the optical disc 1 (step 119 e). If it is determined thatreading out the ID information is completed in step 119 f, in step 119g, the ID information or the property information of the optical disc 1(for example, the remaining capacity of the optical disc 1) is displayedon the display portion 151. If it is determined that there is a discinformation file 53 regarding the optical disc 1 in step 119 o, alatency time for reproduction or recording can be reduced. If it isdetermined that reproduction start button is pressed in step 119 h, thetray 113 is stored and the optical disc 1 is rotated (step 119 j). Instep 119 k, the media ID, the cryptographic key block such as MKB andthe like are read out from the disc information file 53 recorded in therecording/reproduction apparatus 35. In step 119 m, contents informationrecorded in HDD or the like in the recording/reproduction apparatus 35is readout. In the case where the contents are encrypted, the processproceeds to step 119 p, and a cryptographic key for decoding is createdby using the media ID and cryptographic key block to obtain plaintext bydecoding the encrypted contents. In step 119 q, the plaintext is decodedby an AV decoder to output a digital audiovisual signal. The data isread out from the contents recording section of the disc informationfile.

Next, the data read out from the optical disc 1 is output. Morespecifically, in step 119 r, the tray 113 is stored and the reproductionof the optical disc 1 is started. The optical ID information of theoptical disc 1 is optically read out from the optical disc 1, and, instep 119 t, it is verified whether the optical ID information and theradio wave ID information match or have a particular relationship. If itis determined “No” in step 119 t, the optical ID information is given ahigher priority, and, if there is a disc information file correspondingto the optical ID information, a thumbnail therein is output. If thereis no disc information file corresponding to the optical ID information,the process is held until a signal from the optical disc 1 is obtained(step 119 u). In step 119 v, it is determined whether the reproductionof the optical disc 1 is started. In step 119 w, it is prepared for theswitching an output signal from the signal read out from the discinformation file to the reproduction signal from the optical disc 1.Switching of the output signal is performed so that a time stamp of thesignal read out from the disc information file matches a time stamp ofthe reproduction signal from the optical disc 1. In step 119 x, theoutput signal is switched at the same time and at an interval of GOPs(step 119 y). The reproduction is started in a normal reproduction mode(step 119 z).

If it is determined “No” in step 119 h in FIG. 19 (i.e., when thereproduction start button is not pressed), it is determined whether arecording start button is pressed in step 119 i. If it is determined“Yes” in step 119 i, the process proceeds to step 120 of FIG. 20.

In step 120, it is determined whether the optical disc 1 has beenrecorded one time or more, and thus, the disc information file hasalready been obtained. If it is determined “Yes” in step 120, in step120 a, a procedure of storing the tray 113 and recording to the opticaldisc 1 is started. In step 120 b, the media ID and the cryptographic keyblock corresponding to the ID is read out from the disc informationfile. In step 120 c, coded information, which is coded contentsinformation, is encrypted using the media ID and the cryptographic keyblock read out from the disc information file to create a code. In step120 d, the code is temporarily recorded in a memory other than theoptical disc, such as an IC. In other words, the code is recorded in anIC or HDD during a preparation time (normally, 30 seconds to 1 minute)for recording to the optical disc 1. In step 120 e, the ID informationof the optical disc 1 (referred to as optical ID information) isoptically read. In step 120 f, it is determined whether the optical IDinformation and the radio wave ID information matches or have aparticular relationship. If it is determined “No” in step 120 f, theprocess proceeds to step 120 g and the optical ID information is used inprecedence. The tray 113 is slid out and the radio wave ID informationis read out again. Then, the optical ID information and radio wave IDinformation are verified. If the verification result is satisfactory,the code is restored to the original coded information, and, by usingthe media ID and the cryptographic key block of the disc informationfile 53 corresponding to the optical ID information, the codedinformation of the contents is encrypted again to create a code. If itis determined “Yes” in step 120 f, it is determined whether preparationfor recording to the optical disc is finished or not in step 120 h. Ifit is determined “Yes” in step 120 h, the rotational velocity of theoptical disc 1 is set to be double-speed or higher in step 120 i. Instep 120 j, the code recorded in a memory such as an IC or the like isrecorded to the optical disc 1 from the start time.

(Method for Creating Thumbnails of Disc Information File)

In step 120 k, an image for a certain amount of time or a still pictureof low-definition coded information which is contents coded at a bitrate lower than that for the above coded information is recorded in thedisc information file as a thumbnail. In step 120 m, when the recordingrate to the optical disc 1 is S_(R) and the rate of input signal isS_(I), recording is performed for a certain amount of time withS_(R)>S_(I) maintained. In step 120 n, time information t_(R) of thecontents currently recorded in the optical disc 1 and time informationt_(I) of the contents which are currently being input are compared. Ift_(I)>t_(R) in step 120 p, the process returns to step 120 m. Ift_(I)=t_(R), approximately (i.e., a difference between t_(I) and t_(R)is 1 to 2 frames), in step 120 q, the contents are directly recorded tothe optical disc 1. In step 120 r, when recording rate of the opticaldisc is S_(R) and the rate of the input signal is S_(I), S_(R)≈S_(I).Then, normal recording is performed in step 120 s.

(Method for Searching Corresponding Disc ID)

Next, a method for searching desired disc ID information and furtherphysically locating the disc by using property information of the discinformation file will be described.

First, in step 135 a of FIG. 22, property information of the contents isinput. Physical information such as a disc capacity, a remainingcapacity and the like, and property information of the contents such asa name of an actor featured in the program, trade name, place name andthe like. In step 135 b, the disc information file is searched using theproperty information of the input contents as keywords. If the IDcorresponding to the property information of the contents is located instep 135 c, it is determined whether the optical disc of the ID is thedesired optical disc in step 135 d. If it is determined “Yes” in step135 d (i.e., when the optical disc of the ID is the desired disc), theprocess proceeds to step 135 k and a termination process is performed.If it is determined “No” in step 135 d, the property information of thedisc (for example, remaining capacity or the like) is input in step 135e. In step 135 f, the input property information of the disc is used askeywords to search the disc information file. If the ID corresponding tothe property information of the disc is located in step 135 g, it isdetermined whether the optical disc of the ID is the desired disc instep 135 h. If it is determined “Yes” in step 135 g, the processproceeds to step 135 k and the termination process is performed. If itis determined “No” in step 135 g, the process proceeds to step 135 i andaccess to other machines (for example, a server connected to a network)is made using the communication means and the disc information file issearched. In this case, if the corresponding ID is located in step 135j, the process proceeds to step 135 k and the corresponding ID isdisplayed on the display portion of the recording/reproduction apparatusand the display portion of the remote control. If it is determined “No”in step 135 j, the process proceeds to step 135 m and the displayportion displays that there is no corresponding ID. Then, the processends.

(Method for Physically Searching Optical Disc)

With reference to the flow chart of FIG. 23, the procedure continuedfrom the flow chart of FIG. 22 will be described. The ID number of theoptical disc to be searched for is specified in step 135 k. Next, amethod for searching for an optical disc having a specified ID numberwill be described.

In step 136 a, a question “Search for disc?” is displayed on the displayportion. In the case of searching for a disc (i.e., when it isdetermined “Yes” in step 136 b), radio waves for a search aretransmitted in step 136 c. For example, as shown in FIG. 24(a), theradio waves for a search are transmitted from transmitting antennas 18a, 18 b, and 18 c in three directions in a time-division manner. Asshown in FIG. 24(b), response signals from optical discs aretime-divided into time slots A, B and C, and thus, they can be readilyseparated. IDs are read from each of the reception signals 139 a, 139 bin step 136 d, and determined whether each of them is a corresponding IDor not in step 136 e. If there is a corresponding ID, the correspondingID is displayed in step 136 f. For example, as shown in FIG. 24(c), anarrow 140 a is displayed on the displaying portion 39 of the remotecontrol 15. The arrow 140 a indicates that the optical disc which isbeing searched for is in the direction of the arrow. An alarm sound isactivated in step 136 g. The alarm sound may be activated at the sametime as displaying the corresponding ID in step 136 f. In step 136 h, itis determined whether the search for all the optical discs which arebeing searched for is completed. If it is determined that the search hasbeen completed, all the IDs are displayed (step 136 i) and the processstops (step 136 j). If it is determined that the search is not completedyet, the number of remaining IDs is displayed (step 136 k) and theprocess returns to the step 136 c.

(Method for Updating Disc Information File)

A method for updating a disc information file in the case where aplurality of recording/reproduction apparatuses are used in onehousehold.

As shown in FIG. 25, in an inner peripheral portion of the writable-typeoptical disc 1 according to the present invention, a disc informationfile region 144 is provided. The recording/reproduction apparatusesrespectively access to this portion, compare the disc information filewith those of themselves and update only new information.

More specifically, in step 143 b of FIG. 26, the recording/reproductionapparatuses read the data in the disc information file region 144 shownin FIG. 25. In step 143 c, it is determined data regarding the insertedoptical disc is recorded in the disc information file in therecording/reproduction apparatus. If it is determined “No” in step 143c, the disc information file of the optical disc is created and added tothe disc information file 53 of the recording/reproduction apparatus(main unit) in step 143 k. If it is determined “Yes” in step 143 c, theprocess proceeds to step 143 d. It is determined whether the update time141 of the disc information file of the main unit (FIG. 9) is older thanthe update time of the disc information file of the optical disc. If itis determined to be old (i.e., it is determined “Yes” in step 143 d),the data of the main unit is replaced with the corresponding data of thedisc (step 143 e). In this case, the reliability of data is high. Thus,a data reliability flag 142 (FIG. 9) is set to 1 (high) (step 143 f).

In step 143 g, it is determined whether data of disc information filesof discs different from the inserted optical disc are recorded in thedisc information file region 144. If it is determined “Yes” in step 143g, it is determined whether the disc information files regarding thediscs are new compared with the disc information file of the main unit(step 143 h). If it is determined “Yes” in step 143 h, the data of themain unit is replaced with data of the disc for only a disc informationfile of a disc of a particular ID (step 143 i). The data reliabilityflag of the disc information file of another disc replaced in step 143 iis set to 0 (low) (step 143 j). In this way, every time a disc isinserted into apparatuses, data of the disc information file is updated.

(Method for Fabricating Antenna)

A method for fabricating an antenna according to the present inventionincludes a first method of first creating an IC module, in which an IC,antennas, components such as capacitors or the like and wiring areintegrated, and then fixing the IC module onto a disc substrate byadhesion or the like, and a second method for directly forming antennasor wiring, or a capacitor on a disc substrate. First, the module methodis described.

(Method for Fabricating Antenna in Module Scheme)

A skin depth of an antenna will be 8 μm and 0.6 μm whentransmitting/receiving frequency is 13.5 MHz or 2.5 MHz, respectively.In order to efficiently receive radio waves of 13.5 MHz, the thicknessof the antenna has to be 8 μm or greater. Thus, forming an antennaportion by a thick film process such as an electrolytic plating used inthe normal fabrication process of a print substrate is suitable for thisapplication, which requires sensitivity. The process is as follows.First, a substrate 7 which has an embedding hole for embedding an ICmodule is created. The substrate 7 may be used as a substrate for anoptical disc. Separately, an IC module 201 is created and the IC module201 is embedded in the embedding hole in the substrate 7. In the case ofan optical disc of a type in which two substrates are bonded, after thetwo substrates are bonded, a label printing is performed to complete theoptical disc.

With reference to FIG. 27, the method will be described in detail. FIG.27(a) shows a shape of an IC module with an adhesive layer addedtherein. For forming an embedding hole 202 for embedding the IC module201 on a side of the substrate 7, an embedding protrusion 212 isprovided in a stamper 206. A guard band 203 is provided across adistance Lg from one end of the embedding protrusion 212. In aperipheral portion of the stamper 206, outside the guard band 203,protrusions for forming an information layer 6, on/from whichinformation can be recorded/reproduced. The guard band 203 is providedfor preventing disturbances in the flow of the adhesive layer due topresence of the embedding hole 202 from affecting the information layer6 in the later bonding step. When a width of the guard band 203 is Lg,the width is set to be Lg≧1 mm. This allows the adhesive layer to beformed stably on the information layer 6 in a bonded disc. Therefore,degradation in optical property of the adhesive layer in the case of atwo-layer disc can be prevented. Further, in a single-layer disc, sincethere is no gap in a bonded portion, degradation of the informationlayer in an environment of after a long amount of time has elapsed isprevented.

FIG. 27(b) shows an entire process of an injection molding process.First, the stamper 206 is attached to a stamper holder 204 and fixed soas to oppose a fixed mold 205. A resin 208 is injected from an injectionhole for resin 207 in a direction of an arrow 209 into the fixed mold205. A cutting punch 210 punches a central hole. Then, the resin 28 isseparated from the stamper 206 by an ejector 211. Thus, a substrate 7formed of the resin 28 can be removed. The embedding hole 202 having adoughnut-shape is formed in the substrate 7. Thus, the IC module 201shown in FIG. 27(a) can be accommodated without a gap.

FIG. 27(c) shows an example in which the embedding protrusion 212 of theIC module 201 is formed in the stamper holder 204 instead of the stamper206. In this example, it is sufficient if protrusions of pits 213 ortracks 214 of the information layer 6 are formed in the stamper 206.This provides an effect of simplifying the fabrication of the stamper206.

The IC module 201 is formed on the substrate 7 on a side of theinformation layer 6.

As shown in FIG. 29(a), by bonding a substrate 215 which does not havean information layer and the substrate 7 which has the information layer6 with an adhesive layer 216, a single optical disc 217 is completed. Inthis example, the IC module 201 is protected by the adhesive layer 216,providing a significant effect that a step of forming a protection layercan be omitted.

FIG. 29(c) shows an example in which the substrate 7 is formed on a sideaway from the side to be read from, while the information layer and theIC module 201 are formed in the substrate 7 on the side to be read from.In this example, an IC portion of the IC module 201 can be preventedfrom being seen from the label side, providing an effect of improvingthe design.

FIG. 29(d) shows an example in which the substrate 7 is formed on theside to be read from. In this example, by setting the thickness of twosubstrates within the range of 0.55 to 0.64 mm and the thickness of theadhesive layer 216 to 0.055±0.015 mm, an effect that the disc can bereproduced by a player of DVD standards can be achieved.

FIG. 29(e) shows an example in which a blue laser is used. The thicknessof the substrate 7 is set to be 1.1 mm or smaller and the thickness ofthe adhesive layer is set to be 0.025 mm.

In an optical disc in which two substrates are bonded, if theinformation layer 6 is formed on only one substrate, the other substrate215 does not have an information layer 6. In this case, as shown in FIG.29(b), a substrate 215 a, and, also, the IC module 201 are formed on theside of the optical disc 217 opposite to the side to be read from. Thecontents of the information layer are different for every title. In themethods shown in FIG. 27(b) and (c), the optical disc 217 is defectivein both of the cases where the IC module is defective and where theinformation layer 6 is defective, increasing the total number ofpossible defects. In the method shown in FIG. 29(b), defects of thesubstrate 215 a and the defects of the substrate 7 can be separated fromeach other. By bonding only good substrates 215 a to the substrate 7, aneffect of reducing the number of defects of the completed optical disc217 can be achieved.

Next, a method for fabricating the substrate 215 a will be describedwith reference to FIG. 28. First, a stamper holder 204 a having theembedding protrusion 212 is fixed to the fixed mold 205. Then, the resin208 is injected to form the substrate 7.

(Formation of Angle Identifying Mark)

In the conventional type optical disc, it is not necessary to specifythe orientation of the substrate of the optical disc. Thus, the opticaldisc has no mark for identifying an angle and merely has means forrecognizing characters and symbols on the substrate. Thus, a highprecision for detecting an angular position cannot be achieved. In thepresent invention, in the case of mounting the IC, antennas orcomponents on the substrate, the angular position has to be adjustedwith high precision. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 30(a), a mechanicalangle identifying recessed portion 220 is provided with high precisionalong an A-A′ cross section of a liquid pool protrusion 222 of thestamper holder 204. The mechanical angle identifying recessed portion220 is a notch having a depth of d mm. By providing the notch 220 assuch, as shown in FIG. 30(b), an angle identifying mark 223 composed ofa protrusion of height d is formed in a circumferential trench of thesubstrate 7 of the optical disc. By using the angle identifying mark223, mounting and formation at a high precision become possible in latersteps of attaching the IC module 201 and the like, directly formingantennas which will be described later, or mounting an IC.

As shown in FIG. 30(c), in a cross-section along C-C′ of the stamperholder 204, an angle identifying protrusion 221 is provided at an angleof θ. As shown in FIG. 30(d), a corresponding angle identifying recessedportion is provided in an embedding protrusion 224. The angleidentifying protrusion 221 and the angle identifying recessed portionare fitted into each other. The embedding hole 202 and the angularidentifying mark 223 are formed on the substrate 7 in a relativeposition at a high angle. FIG. 30(e) is a cross-sectional view of thestamper holder 204 and the embedding protrusion 224.

(Description of IC Module)

FIG. 31(a) is a top view of the IC module 201 having a double-woundantenna 231, an IC 230, an insulating layer 232, and wiring 233. FIG.31(b) shows a cross-sectional view along A-A′ of FIG. 31(a).

A process for fabricating the IC module 201 will be described withreference to FIG. 31(b).

A wiring substrate 234 having a thin sheet shape of 10 to 20 μm, such asa flexible substrate is prepared. More specifically, a plurality ofwirings are created together using a sheet having a large area, andthen, after completion, the sheet is punched into doughnut-shapes asshown in FIG. 31(a). Thus, mass production is possible. A notch at aparticular angular position is provided in an inner periphery or anouter peripheral portion at a particular angular position to form asimilar angle identifying mark 223 a. When the IC module 201 is adheredto the substrate 7 of the optical disc in a later step, relativepositions in terms of angles with respect to each other can be preciselyadjusted by corresponding the angle identifying mark 223 a with theangle identifying mark 223 of the substrate 7. This provides an effectthat the IC module 201 can be precisely embedded into the embedding holein an angular direction. Since the optical disc is fabricated at a goodprecision in the circumferential direction inherently, it is notnecessary to add special means for improving a precision of attaching inthe circumferential direction.

With reference to FIG. 31(b), in step 1, the antenna 231 (231 a, 231 band 231 c) is formed. The antenna 231 of a thick film can be fabricatedby, for example, an electroless plating or printing method. In step 2,the insulating layer 232 is formed. In step 3, the wiring 233 of abridge-type is formed over the insulating layer 232 such that the bridgecrosses over the antenna 231 b. In step 4, the IC 230 is attached to twoterminals of the antenna 231 by bonding. A bonding method can be, forexample, a method using an anisotropic conductive sheet or the like. Byusing this method, a flat back surface of the print substrate 234 isobtained. Thus, a flow of an adhesive resin is not blocked during a stepof boding substrates, thereby preventing deterioration in the opticalproperty. By providing a capacitor for resonance which is not shown inFIG. 31 and will be described later with reference to FIG. 44, theantenna sensitivity can be substantially improved. Instead of formingthe insulating layer 232, wiring 233 for a bridge may be formed at theback surface of the print substrate 234 and connected by providing twothrough holes in the print substrate 234.

(Method for Attaching IC Module)

A method for attaching the IC module 201 to the embedding hole 202 ofthe substrate 7 of the optical disc shown in step 1 of FIG. 32 will bedescribed. As shown in step 2 of FIG. 32, when a maximum height of theIC portion or the like of the IC module 201 is d4, the IC module 201 isattached to the substrate 7 by using an adhesive sheet 235 having asheet thickness of d2 and a maximum depth of d4. In step 3, the adhesivesheet is cured by heating, ultraviolet rays, or the like and fixing ofthe IC module 201 to the substrate 7 of the optical disc is completed.As shown in FIG. 32, the IC module 201 is flat with respect to thesurface of the substrate 7 of the completed disc. Between the IC module201 and the information layer 6, a guard band having a distance of Lg isprovided. In the optical disc of the type in which two substrates arebonded (for example, the optical disc as shown in FIG. 29(c)), thesubstrate 7 of the optical disc fabricated as shown in FIG. 33(a) andthe other substrates 218 are opposed to each other with a gap of 0.025mm to 0.05 mm therebetween and an adhesive 236 having a lighttransmittance is enclosed in the gap. The adhesive 236 flows in adirection of an arrow 237. In this case, if the IC module 201 has thestructure shown in FIG. 32, the IC module 201 is flat at the same levelas the surface of the substrate 7. Thus, a flow of the adhesive 236 isflat on an attaching portion of the IC module 201 as indicated by arrows237 a, 237 b, and 237 c. Thus, no disturbance is generated in the flowof the adhesive 236. Therefore, a precision in intervals between thegaps is achieved and the flow of the adhesive 236 is not affected,thereby causing a significant effect that optical properties such asbirefringence or the like after the adhesive 236 is cured are notdeteriorated. The height d5 as shown in step 3 of FIG. 32, which is adifference in levels of the IC module 201 and the surface of thesubstrate, is maintained within the range of ±0.015 mm. Thus, theoptical disc can meet the standards for DVD or the like. In the casewhere an ultra-ray curable resin is used as the adhesive 236, theadhesive 236 is irradiated with ultra rays and cured to form theadhesive layer 216 (FIG. 33(b)). In this way, an optical disc of thetype in which two substrates are bonded is completed. By providing aguard band having the width Lg of 1 mm or greater, an effect on anoptical property of the adhesive layer of the information layer 6 byadding the IC module 201 can be eliminated.

(Method for Mounting Non-Flat IC Module)

A method for making the substrate surface flat after embedding bypreviously providing an embedding hole having protruded and recessedportions on the substrate 7 side has been described above. Hereinafter,a method of forming a flat embedding hole 238 in the substrate 7 will bedescribed. As shown in FIG. 34(a), the embedding protrusion 212 having aheight of d7 is provided in the stamper 206 and injection molding isperformed. Thus, the substrate 7 having a flat embedding hole 238 of adepth of d7 can be obtained. In this case, an effect of preventingdeterioration in optical properties such as birefringence or the like ofthe transparent substrate 7 of the information layer 6 or the adhesivelayer 216 can be achieved by providing a guard band, which satisfiesLg≧1 mm, between the information layer 6 and the embedding hole 238.Further, as shown in FIG. 34(b), instead of providing the embeddingprotrusion 212 in the stamper 206, the embedding protrusion 212 may beprovided in the stamper holder 204. This structure provides an effect ofreducing a time for fabricating the stamper 206.

FIG. 35 shows a method for mounting the IC module onto the substrate. Instep 1, the IC module 201 is mounted into the embedding hole 238 of thesubstrate 7, described above, via an adhesive sheet 235 from the printsubstrate 234 side opposite to the side on which the IC 230 is attached.Step 2 shows the IC module 201 being embedded into the embedding hole238. In this case, when a height of the IC 230 from the substratesurface is d11, and a height of the print substrate 234 from thesubstrate surface is d12, by maintaining the sum of d11+d12 within therage of ±0.015 mm, i.e., 0.03 mm, the disc will meet the standards forthe optical disc and thus have the compatibility.

Furthermore, the IC 230 and the antenna 231 are formed on the printsubstrate 234 such that the volume of the IC module 201 within the rangeof d11 (i.e., a total sum of the volume of a portion of the IC module201 protruding from a surface of the substrate 7 to be bonded) and thevolume of a gap portion except for an antenna or IC within the range ofd12 (i.e., a total sum of the volume of a gap portion which is recessedwith respect to the surface on which the substrate 7 is bonded) areabout the same. With such a structure, if an adhesive 236 is enclosed ina step of bonding the substrate 7 and the substrate 218 shown in step 3,when the volumes are averaged, they are even out to be zero. Thus, theembedding portion of the IC module 201 can be regarded equivalently thatit has the same height as the surface on which the substrate 7 isbonded. Since they have equivalently the same heights, the same volumeof the adhesive is enclosed in the IC module region, the substrateportion, and the portion of the information layer 6. Thus, the adhesive236 is distributed with a uniform thickness. This provides an effectthat the thickness of the adhesive layer 216 becomes uniform. In such astructure, an alignment in an angular direction is not necessary. Thiseliminates not only the need for an angle identifying mark but also astep for aligning in an angular direction.

(Method for Attaching IC to IC Module on Disc Substrate Side)

FIG. 36 shows an embodiment in which the IC 230 and the bridge wiring233 are provided on a side of the embedding hole of the substrate, andthe antenna 231 is provided on the side opposite to the embedding holeof the substrate 7.

As shown in FIG. 36(a), the double-wound antenna 231 is formed on a topsurface (surface) of the print substrate 234. As shown in FIG. 36(b),the bridge wiring 233, the wiring 239 and the IC 230 are formed on aback surface of the print substrate 234. By forming the components onthe top surface and the back surface of the print substrate 234 as such,the IC module is fabricated.

FIG. 36(c) shows across-section along A-A′ of the IC module shown inFIG. 36(b). The thickness d17 of the antenna 231 is 8 μm of skin depthfor 13.5 MHz as described above. When the thickness d13 of the printsubstrate 234 is 15 through 20 μm, the thickness d14 of the wiring 239is 8 μm, the thickness d19 of the IC 230 is 50 μm, the thickness d16 ofan adhesive layer is 15 μm, and the maximum thickness d22 is 100 μm.Thus, if there is no embedding hole, the adhesive layer 216 of thebonded portion cannot fall within the range of 55±15 μm.

FIG. 36(e) shows a cross-section of the substrate 7. The maximum depthd20 of the embedding hole 202 of the substrate 7 is about 90 μm, and theminimum depth d21 is about 30 μm.

FIG. 36(f) shows the IC module (FIG. 36(c)) being adhered onto thesubstrate 7 (FIG. 36(e)) via the adhesive layer (FIG. 36(d)). As shownin FIG. 36(e), the IC module is adhered onto the substrate 7 via theadhesive layer such that the antenna 231 is on the opposite side to theembedding hole of the substrate 7 and the bridge wiring 233, the wiring239 and the IC 230 are on the side of the embedding hole of thesubstrate 7. As can be seen in FIG. 36(f), the print substrate 234 andthe IC 230 are suitably accommodated below a surface of the substrate 7and only the antenna 231 protrudes from the surface of the substrate 7.The protruded height d22 of the antenna 231 is 8 μm for 13.5 MHz. Thus,an effect is that the embedding hole allows the adhesive layer 216, tobe maintained within the thickness range of 55±15 μm.

As described with reference to step 2 of FIG. 35, by embedding the ICmodule 201 more deeply so that the level of the IC module 201 isequivalently the same as the level of the substrate surface, the flow ofthe adhesive 236 during the bonding step is improved. This provides aneffect that the optical property is not deteriorated and the thicknessof the adhesive layer 216 becomes more uniform. Further, since the angleidentifying mark 223 a is provided in the IC module, the embedding holeof the substrate and the IC module can be mounted with a high precisionin an angular direction.

The IC module produced as described above is mounted into the embeddinghole on the side on which the substrate is bonded and the substrates arebonded. Firstly, the IC module can be protected by the adhesive layerwithout providing a special step for forming a protection layer, andthus, the effects that the number of steps for forming a protectionlayer can be reduced and the reliability of an environmental resistanceis improved, are obtained. Furthermore, since the IC module is at about0.6 mm or 1.1 mm inside the disc, the effect that the IC module isprevented from being destroyed by a mechanical contact from outside thecompleted bonded disc, is provided. Similar effects can be obtained by amethod for directly forming an antenna which will be described below.

(Method for Directly Forming Antenna: Single-Wound Type)

A method for producing an IC module and attaching the IC module to anembedding portion of the substrate has been mainly described above.Hereinafter, a method for forming an antenna directly on a discsubstrate will be described. A skin depth of an antenna will be 8 μm and0.6 μm for 13.5 MHz or 2.5 MHz, respectively. Thus, for 2.5 GHz, anantenna can be formed by a thin-film method such as sputtering or thelike. For 13.5 MHz, as shown in FIG. 37, an electric field of theantenna is decreased exponentially as the depth of a metal filmincreases. The energy is the integrated value of a square of theelectric field. Thus, for a film thickness of about 1 μm, thesensitivity is not deteriorated that much and only the receptiondistance is shortened. Therefore, a thin-film method can be applied toboth if the application is selected. The same is also true of 2.5 MHz,and the method can also be applied to the case of about 0.07 to 0.1 m.Thus, a process of forming silver alloy or aluminum alloy on an opticaldisc substrate of polycarbonate has already been used for many years inmass-production factories and the reliability has been established.Therefore such a method can be used.

With reference to FIG. 38, a method for forming a single-wound antennawill be described.

In step 1 of FIG. 38(a), the antenna 231 is formed along acircumferential direction of the substrate 7 of the optical disc.

With reference to FIG. 38(b), a step of directly attaching a bare ICchip on the substrate 7 will be described. In step 1, an embedding hole240 which has a shape elongated in the circumferential direction ispre-formed on the substrate 7 by an injection molding. In step 2, theantenna 231 is formed by sputtering with a notch 242 locally formedusing a mask 241. In step 3, the IC 230 is bonded to a portion of thenotch 242 of the antenna 231. The IC 230 is fixed by bonding or the likeusing wire bonding or an anisotropic conductive sheet. Then, in the caseof an optical disc in which two substrates are bonded, as shown in step3 of FIG. 35, another substrate is provided to oppose and the adhesive236 is enclosed therebetween to complete an optical disc. In this case,the IC 230 is enclosed within the adhesive 236. Thus, a step of forminga protection layer is not necessary. During the process from the bondingof the IC chip to the step of boding the substrates, if a step ofsputtering a record layer or the like is performed, the protection layer243 is provided over the IC 230 as shown in step 4 in FIG. 38(b). Thus,an effect on the IC by the sputtering in later steps can be eliminated.

In step 3 of FIG. 38(c), a sub-substrate 244 is formed. In step 4, asmall IC block 247 is formed by attaching the IC 230 to thesub-substrate 244. In step 5, the adhesive sheet 235 is attached. Instep 6, the small IC block 247 is attached to an embedding hole 240 ofthe substrate. In this step, the IC 230 is protected by thesub-substrate 244. This provides an effect that the sputtering step canbe performed after this step. As will be described later, in the casewhere a capacitor or the like is formed by a method for forming arecording layer, sputtering is required. Thus, the effect is significantbecause the influence of the sputtering on the IC can be prevented.

In a method for forming a thin film by sputtering or the like, anantenna conductor having a thin thickness in the order of sub-micron isformed. Thus, when a low frequency is used, the thickness of the antennaconductor does not reach the skin depth-and the transmission/receptionefficiency of the antenna may be deteriorated. In the case where such alow frequency is used, for example, the antenna conductor may be treatedwith electrolytic plating or electroless plating without electrodes. Theelectrolytic plating may be performed by, for example, attachingelectrodes to the antenna conductor and covering other metal portions,and/or recording film portions with a protection film, and immersing theantenna conductor into an electrolytic solution and then placing it intoan electrolytic plating bath. By treating the antenna conductor withelectrolytic plating or electroless plating without electrodes, athickness of the antenna conductor can be increased and the thickness ofthe antenna conductor will become close to the skin depth. By addingsuch a plating step after the step of forming a thin film, the thicknessof the antenna conductor can be increased. As a result, it becomespossible to improve the transmission/reception efficiency of theantenna.

(Method for Forming Antenna After Attaching IC)

FIG. 38 shows a method in which the antenna 231 is first formed and thenthe IC is mounted. With reference to FIG. 39, a method in which theantenna 231 is formed after the IC 230 is mounted will be described.

As shown in FIG. 39(a), a rectangular embedding hole 240 which iselongated in the circumferential direction is formed at the time of theinjection molding in step 1, similarly to the method shown in FIG. 38.In step 2 of FIG. 39(b), the sub-substrate 244 of thickness d5 isformed. In step 3, electrodes 245 and 246 which are divided into two areformed around the sub-substrate 244. In step 4, the IC 230 is attached.In step 5, the adhesive sheet 235 is attached. In step 6, thesub-substrate 244 is attached into the embedding hole 240. As shown in atop view, the electrodes 245 and 246 are exposed. In step 7 of FIG.39(c), terminals 231 a and 231 b of the antenna 231 are formed bysputtering or the like. Thus, the antenna 231 and the IC 230 areelectrically connected. In this case, the IC 230 is protected by thesub-substrate 244. Thus, a sputtering step can be performed in latersteps. Further, the electrodes 245 and 246 and the substrate surfacehave the same level of height and they are continuous. Therefore, evenwhen the antenna 231 is formed using a thin-film process and connected,the possibility of later destruction is reduced, thereby providing aneffect of improving reliability. Moreover, the sub-substrate withelectrodes in step 3 can be produced on a mass-production basis by onlyproviding two electrodes in both ends of a long sheet of the substrateand cutting the sheet into strips. Thus, a sub-substrate can beimplemented at an extremely low cost. A step of forming a metal film onan aluminum alloy or a silver alloy, by sputtering, is carried out in aproduction process of an optical disc of a RAM type or a ROM type. Inthe present invention, such a step of forming a metal film is utilizedto form the antenna. Thus, the antenna and/or wiring can be formed inthe inner peripheral portion of the optical disc without increasing thesteps of forming a film. This provides a significant effect that the ICof RF-ID and the antenna can be formed in the optical disc withoutincreasing the cost, except for the cost for the IC.

(Method for Directly Forming Multiple-Wound Antenna)

In the previous section, an embodiment of the single-wound antenna hasbeen described. For 2.5 GHz, the single-wound antenna does not cause anyproblem. In the case of 13.5 MHz, the sensitivity is deteriorated. Foran application which requires a higher sensitivity, a multiple-woundtype antenna wound for n times is required.

FIG. 40(a) is a top view of an optical disc provided with amultiple-wound antenna. An IC block 247, which has the positions ofelectrodes shifted from those in the rectangular IC block 247 describedwith reference to FIG. 39(b), is embedded into the rectangular embeddinghole 240 of the substrate 7. Two terminals of the three-time-woundantenna 231 are formed at both ends thereof by sputtering.

The method is described in more detail with reference to thecross-sectional views shown in FIG. 40(b). In step 1, the IC block 247is fixed into the embedding hole 240 with the adhesive sheet 235. Theelectrodes 245 and 246 are exposed on the substrate surface. In step 2,on the exposed electrodes 245 and 246, both ends of the antenna 231 areformed by sputtering. Thus, the electrodes 245 and 246 and the terminals231 a and 231 d at both ends of the antenna 231 are electricallyconnected respectively.

FIG. 40(c) shows steps 1 and 2 described above, when viewed from thetop. FIG. 40(d) is a cross-sectional view when a liquid adhesive is usedfor adhesion. Some rises of adhesive are observed between the substrate7 and the electrodes 245 and 246 of the IC block 247, but bondingtherebetween become more firm. Thus, in the case where the terminals ofthe antenna 231 are formed by sputtering as shown in step 2, thepossibility of a break in wire can be reduced.

FIG. 40(e) shows an example in which four bent portions 248 a, 248 b,248 c, and 248 d are provided in the wiring of the antenna 231 of FIG.40(a). In this example, the wiring of the antenna 231 has a spiral shapewith a diameter decreasing as the spiral extends from the outerperiphery to the inner periphery of the optical disc. The bent portionsof the wiring of the antenna 231 are formed in order of the bentportions 248 b, 248 a, 248 d, and 248 c from the outer periphery to theinner periphery of the optical disc. At each of the bend portions 248 b,248 a, 248 d, and 248 c, the diameter of the wiring (winding) of theantenna 231 changes. In the example shown in FIG. 40(e), in an intervalbetween the end of the outer periphery and the bent portion 248 b, thediameter of the wiring (winding) of the antenna 231 increases. In aninterval between the bent portion 248 b and the bent portion 248 a, thediameter of the wiring (winding) of the antenna 231 decreases once. Inan interval between the bent portion 248 a and the bent portion 248 d,the diameter of the wiring (winding) of the antenna 231 increases. In aninterval between the bent portion 248 d to the bent portion 248 c, thediameter of the diameter of the wiring (winding) of the antenna 231decreases once. In an interval between the bent portion 248 c and theend of the inner periphery, the diameter of the wiring (winding) of theantenna 231 increases. A bridge portion (the IC block 247 or a metalconductor) which bridges over the wiring of the antenna 231 between thebent portions 248 b and 248 a and the wiring of the antenna 231 betweenthe bent portion 248 d and 248 c is provided. The bridge portion isconnected to the end of the inner periphery of the wiring of the antenna231 and the end of the outer periphery of the wiring of the antenna 231.

Such a winding arrangement of the antenna provides an effect that theantenna can be accommodated within a smaller circle. In an optical disc,the recording region starts at a diameter of about 23 mm. Thus, only anarrow region from the inner periphery to a central hole can be utilizedas an antenna area. Thus, forming bent regions provides a significanteffect for an optical disc because an antenna having a larger number ofwindings can be accommodated.

(Method for Forming Circuit or Part of Components by Utilizing the Stepof Formation of Recording Disc)

In a recording-type disc, a recording region is formed by film formationsteps for 6 to 8 layers. These layers include a metal layer whichreflects a light and has a high electric conductivity. There is also aplurality of layers for adjusting absorption of light. These layers areinsulators having low electric conductivity. Further there is asemiconductor layer. The semiconductor layer is formed by a sputteringmethod. The semiconductor layer can also be formed by evaporation. Thepresent invention is characterized in that an antenna, capacitor,resistance, and wiring are formed in the same step by utilizing filmformation steps of the metal layer, dielectric, and semiconductor. Thus,production in a short time and at a low cost can be implemented byomitting a part or all of the steps for an antenna, wiring and the like.

For example, at least a part of an antenna can be formed by utilizing afilm formation step for a metal reflection film included in aninformation layer on/from which information can be recorded/reproduced.In this case, a metal reflection film and an antenna are formed suchthat the thickness and the composition of the metal reflection film aresubstantially the same as the thickness and the composition of at leasta part of the antenna.

With reference to FIG. 41, an example of the structure of an informationlayer of a current recording-type disc. The lowermost layer in FIG. 41is the substrate 7, which is composed of a transparent layer ofpolycarbonate and has a thickness of 0.6 mm, 1.1 mm, or 0.75 mm for thecase of the bonded disc, and 0.8 mm or 1.2 mm for the case of a singleplate. On the substrate 7, an interface layer 252 composed of adielectric having a thickness of few nm, a recording layer 253, aninterface layer 254, a dielectric layer 255 having a thickness of 30 nm,a light absorption layer 256 having a thickness of 10 nm, and areflection layer composed of Ag alloy or Al alloy having the thicknessof 100 nm, are formed. In the case where the information is read outfrom the side of the substrate 7, the films are formed in theabove-mentioned order. In the case where the information is read outfrom the side of reflection of the substrate 7, naturally, films areformed in the reversed order, i.e., the reflection layer 257 is formedon the substrate 7, the light absorption layer 256 is formed thereon,and so on. Such a case can be implemented by performing the steps of thepresent invention in the reversed order.

(Fabrication Step of Multiple-Wound Antenna and Capacitor)

With reference to FIGS. 42 and 43, a method for fabricating an antennaand a capacitor, by utilizing a film formation step for an informationlayer of an optical disc, will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 42 and 43(a), in step 1, the embedding hole 202 isprovided on the substrate 7. In step 2, the IC block 247 is attached. Asshown in step 3 of FIG. 42, sputtering by metal targets 261 a using amask 260 a is used to form the antenna 231 as shown in FIG. 43. In step4, sputtering by a dielectric target 261 a is performed to form adielectric layer 255 in the recording region and the region of thecapacitor by the mask 260 b. Step 4 of FIG. 43 shows a top view. In step5, the region of the antenna 231 and the capacitor 263 are covered withthe mask 260 c and the interface layer 254 and the recording layer 253,as shown in FIG. 41, are sequentially formed in the recording region bysputtering. In step 6, sputtering is performed by a metal target 261 ofan aluminum or silver alloy, after the mask 260 d is formed, on at leasta part of the antenna 231 to form the reflection layer 257 and theelectrode 262.

In this way, at least a part of the antenna 231 is formed by utilizingfilm formation steps of metal reflection films included in theinformation layer. In this case, the metal reflection film and theantenna are formed such that the thickness and the composition of themetal reflection film are substantially the same as the thickness andthe composition of at least a part of the antenna 231. Further, at leasta part of the capacitor 263 is formed by utilizing the film-formationstep for a dielectric film included in the information layer. In thiscase, the dielectric film and the capacitor 263 are formed such that thethickness, and the composition of the dielectric film, are substantiallythe same as the thickness and composition of at least part of thecapacitor 263.

(Capacitance of Capacitor)

The capacitor 263 is formed for producing a resonance circuit as shownin FIGS. 44(a), (b), and (c) when an inductance of the antenna is L.Setting f=1/2 π (Route LC) as a frequency for transmission/receptionprovides an effect of improving a total antenna sensitivity.

(Fabrication Method of Antenna Portion)

FIG. 45(a) is a top view of the mask 260 b used for step 3 shown in FIG.42. The antenna 231 is formed by sputtering using the mask 260 b. In amass-production process of optical discs, formation of a reflection filmof an Ag alloy having a thickness of 0.05 μm takes 1 second. Thus, inorder to improve the sensitivity, it takes nearly 10 seconds to form askin depth of 0.6 μm for 2.5 GHz even if it is cooled. In order toshorten a cycle time for sputtering in factories, four discs are put ina chamber of sputtering at the same time as shown in FIG. 45(b). Thus,the cycle time becomes one fourth the original length, 2-3 seconds foreach disc. The step can be introduced in a mass-production line in viewof the cycle time. Implementing the skin depth of 8 μm for 13.5 MHz isdifficult to be intruded into a mass-production line in view of thecycle time. The mass-production step can be implemented by improving thesubstantial sensitivity by making the film thickness about 1-2 μm,lowering the antenna sensitivity, and introducing a resonance circuit inthe capacitor of the present invention.

(Fabrication Method for Another Resonance Circuit)

By using the structure shown in FIG. 43, the resonance circuit of FIG.44(a)is obtained. Hereinafter, a method for fabricating the resonancecircuit having a shape shown in FIG. 44(b) will be described withreference to FIG. 46. A first difference is the structure of the ICblock 247. As shown in FIG. 46(a), one electrode 246 is separated intoan electrode 246 a and an electrode 246 b. In step 2, the IC 230 isconnected to the electrode 246 a. In step 3, the IC block 247 ismounted. In step 4, the antenna 231 is formed such that one terminal 231b of the antenna is electrically coupled to the electrode 246 b. In step5, the dielectric layer 251 is formed. In step 6, the reflection layer257 is formed by sputtering such that the electrode 262 is electricallycoupled to the terminal 231 b of the antenna 231. In this way, a step offabricating the antenna and IC portion having a resonance circuit asshown in FIG. 46(c) can be performed while also serving as a filmformation step of the recording film.

(Method for Fabricating Antenna and Reflection Film in the Same Step)

With reference to FIG. 42, an example of fabricating the antenna 231 andthe reflection film in the same step has been described. By using a mask260 e as shown in FIG. 47(a), the antenna 231 and the reflection layer257 can be formed in the same film formation step. For the ROM disc,there are only two steps for the reflection film and the protectionfilm. Thus, the effect caused by this method is significant.

By using the mask 260 f as shown in FIG. 48(a), sputtering is performedby a target 260 of Al or Ag. A single-wound antenna 231 and thereflection film 257 as shown in FIG. 48(b) are formed. By only providingthe embedding hole 240 and bonding the IC 230, a disc with an antennaand IC can be formed. This is achieved by only adding one step of ICbonding, there is an effect that the disc can be fabricated extremelyeasily at a low cost. This method can be applied to both a RAM disc anda ROM disc. Further, two discs are bonded with the IC 230 inside to formone disc. The antenna and IC are protected from the externalenvironment. Thus, a high reliability can be achieved. The simplestmethod is to use an IC with an antenna for RF-ID, embed the IC in theembedding hole 240 of the substrate 7, and bond the disc with the ICinside. If the cost of such an IC is reduced, a disc with a highreliability can be readily fabricated with this method.

(Fabrication Method for Thin Film Antenna)

FIG. 49(a) is a diagram showing a back surface of a thin film antenna231 g. Through holes 271 a and 271 b are provided in an antenna 231 h onthe inner peripheral portion. FIG. 49(b) is a top view showing theantenna 231 d formed. With reference to FIG. 49(e), a fabrication stepof a through hole will be described. In step 1, sputtering is performedusing the metal target 261 from a surface to the through hole 271 of thesubstrate 7 to form a metal layer 272 a on the upper half part of thethrough hole 271. In step 2, a metal layer 272 b is formed on the lowerhalf part of the through hole 271 from the back surface side. The metallayer 272 a on the surface side and the metal layer 272 b on the backsurface side are electrically coupled. In step 3, the IC 230 is bondedon the back surface to complete the antenna and the IC portion. As shownin FIG. 49(d), this disc is bonded with another disc to complete onedisc. In this case, the adhesive 236 for bonding flows into the throughhole and fills the hole. Thus, the IC and the like inside is notaffected by the external environment. For protecting the antenna 231 con a top surface, a protection layer 272 is formed. The antenna has twopoles of surface and the back surface. Thus, it also serves as a dipoleantenna.

(Structure and Operation of Remote Control)

The structure of the remote control 15 which is described with referenceto FIG. 5 will be described in more detail.

FIG. 50(a) is a top view of the remote control 15. FIG. 50(b) is a sideview thereof. The remote control 15 incorporates an antenna 282, anactivation switch 280, and a speaker 281. As shown in FIG. 50(b), whenthe remote control 15 is horizontally placed in a usual manner, theactivation switch 280 is not pressed and thus it is not activated. Asshown in FIG. 50(d), when the remote control is inclined and pressedagainst the optical disc 1, as shown in FIGS. 51 and 52, the activationswitch is turned on and the RF signal is transmitted and received by theantenna 231 of the optical disc 1, and the IC 230 transmits a responsesignal including an ID from the antenna 231. The signal is received bythe antenna 282 and a confirmation sound is produced from the speaker281 to notify the operator. After a certain amount of time has elapsed,power supply to the transmission circuit is stopped.

Since the remote control 15 is mounted with a battery of a smallcapacity, it is necessary to limit an operation of the circuit fortransmitting an RF signal as small as possible. The method shown in FIG.50 provides an effect of reducing power supply consumption and extendingthe lifetime of the battery of the remote control since the power supplyis turned on, the RF signal is transmitted, and the ID is detected for acertain amount of time when the switch 280 is pressed against the disc1.

At least the following items are within the scope of the presentinvention.

-   A1. An optical disc comprising: an antenna formed along a    circumferential direction; and an IC for transmitting/receiving    radio waves via the antenna.-   A2. An optical disc according to item A1, further comprising an    information layer to/from which information can be    recorded/reproduced.-   A3. An optical disc according to item A2, wherein the antenna and    the IC is provided in an inner peripheral portion of the optical    disc, and the information layer is provided in an outer peripheral    portion of the optical disc.-   A4. An optical disc according to item A1, wherein the IC includes: a    receiving section for receiving the radio waves; an ID information    storage section for storing the ID information for identifying the    optical disc; a signal generation section for generating a signal    including the ID information in response to a signal output from the    receiving section; and a transmitting section for transmitting the    signal.-   A5. A remote control apparatus for performing wireless communication    with the optical disc according to item A4, comprising: a    transmitting section for transmitting radio waves to the optical    disc; a receiving section for receiving a response signal from the    optical disc; and an ID reproduction section for reproducing ID    information in response to an output from the receiving section.-   A6. A remote control apparatus according to item A5, further    comprising a transmitting section for transmitting the ID    information to a recording/reproduction apparatus which performs at    least one of a recording operation of recording information on the    optical disc and a reproduction operation of reproducing information    recorded on the optical disc.

Further, at least the following items are within the scope of thepresent invention.

-   B1. A substrate of having a disc shape, provided with an embedding    hole for embedding a wiring substrate having an IC attached thereto.-   B2. An optical disc comprising a first substrate having a disc    shape, which has an embedding hole and a wiring substrate having an    IC attached thereto, wherein the wiring substrate is embedded into    the embedding hole of the first substrate.-   B3. An optical disc according to item B2, further comprising: a    second substrate having a disc shape, which opposes the first    substrate, and an adhesive layer for bonding the first substrate and    the second substrate.-   B4. An optical disc according to item B2, wherein the first    substrate is provided with an angle identifying mark which indicates    a predetermined angle.-   B5. An optical disc according to item B2, wherein the IC and the    wiring board are included in an IC module, the IC module is embedded    in the embedding hole of the first substrate, and a level of a    surface of the first substrate and a level of a surface of the IC    module embedded into the embedding hole are substantially the same.-   B6. An optical disc according to item B2, wherein the IC and the    wiring board are included in an IC module, a part of the IC module    protrudes from a surface of the first substrate, and a total sum of    a volume of a portion protruding with respect to the surface of the    first substrate and a total sum of a volume of a gap, which is a    portion recessed with respect to the substrate of the first    substrate.-   B7. An optical disc according to item B2, further comprising an    antenna connected to the IC, the IC transmits/receives radio waves    via the antenna.-   B8. An optical disc according to item B7, wherein the IC, the wiring    substrate, and the antenna are included in the IC module, the    antenna is formed on a surface of the wiring substrate, which is a    surface opposite to the first substrate, and the IC is formed on a    surface of the wiring substrate, which is a surface on the first    substrate side.

B9. An optical disc according to item B7, wherein the antenna includesantenna wiring of a spiral shape having a diameter decreasing as itextends from the outer peripheral portion to an inner peripheral portionof the optical disc, and the antenna wiring is provided with a pluralityof bent portions where the diameter of the antenna wiring changes.

-   B10. An optical disc according to item B7, further comprising an    information layer to/from which information can be    recorded/reproduced, wherein the information layer includes a metal    reflection film, and the metal reflection film and the antenna are    formed such that a thickness and a composition of the metal    reflection film are substantially the same as the metal reflection    film and the antenna.-   B11. A method for fabricating an optical disc comprising forming a    first substrate having a disc shape, which has an embedding hole,    and embedding a wiring substrate having the IC attached thereto into    the embedding hole.-   B12. A method for fabricating an optical disc according to item B11,    further comprising forming a second substrate having a disc shape,    which opposes the first substrate, and bonding the first substrate    and the second substrate via an adhesive layer.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As described above, it becomes possible to manage IDs of discs byattaching a radio wave transmission/reception IC, including IDinformation, to the discs.

As described above, it becomes easy to fabricate an optical disc havinga radio wave transmission/reception IC, including ID information,attached thereto.

1. An optical disc comprising: an antenna formed along a circumferentialdirection; and an IC for transmitting/receiving radio waves via theantenna.
 2. An optical disc according to claim 1, further comprising aninformation layer to/from which information can be recorded/reproduced.3. An optical disc according to claim 2, wherein the antenna and the ICis provided in an inner peripheral portion of the optical disc, and theinformation layer is provided in an outer peripheral portion of theoptical disc.
 4. An optical disc according to claim 1, wherein the ICincludes: a receiving section for receiving the radio waves; an IDinformation storage section for storing the ID information foridentifying the optical disc; a signal generation section for generatinga signal including the ID information in response to a signal outputfrom the receiving section; and a transmitting section for transmittingthe signal.
 5. A remote control apparatus for performing wirelesscommunication with the optical disc according to claim 4, comprising; atransmitting section for transmitting radio waves to the optical disc; areceiving section for receiving a response signal from the optical disc;and an ID reproduction section for reproducing ID information inresponse to an output from the receiving section.
 6. A remote controlapparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a transmittingsection for transmitting the ID information to a recording/reproductionapparatus which performs at least one of a recording operation ofrecording information on the optical disc and a reproduction operationof reproducing information recorded on the optical disc.
 7. A substrateof having a disc shape, provided with an embedding hole for embedding awiring substrate having an IC attached thereto.
 8. An optical disccomprising a first substrate having a disc shape, which has an embeddinghole and a wiring substrate having an IC attached thereto, wherein thewiring substrate is embedded into the embedding hole of the firstsubstrate.
 9. An optical disc according to claim 8, further comprising:a second substrate having a disc shape, which opposes the firstsubstrate, and an adhesive layer for bonding the first substrate and thesecond substrate.
 10. An optical disc according to claim 8, wherein thefirst substrate is provided with an angle identifying mark whichindicates a predetermined angle.
 11. An optical disc according to claim8, wherein the IC and the wiring board are included in an IC module, theIC module is embedded in the embedding hole of the first substrate, anda level of a surface of the first substrate and a level of a surface ofthe IC module embedded into the embedding hole are substantially thesame.
 12. An optical disc according to claim 8, wherein the IC and thewiring board are included in an IC module, a part of the IC moduleprotrudes from a surface of the first substrate, and a total sum of avolume of a portion protruding with respect to the surface of the firstsubstrate and a total sum of a volume of a gap, which is a portionrecessed with respect to the substrate of the first substrate.
 13. Anoptical disc according to claim 8, further comprising an antennaconnected to the IC, the IC transmits/receives radio waves via theantenna.
 14. An optical disc according to claim 13, wherein the IC, thewiring substrate, and the antenna are included in the IC module, theantenna is formed on a surface of the wiring substrate, which is asurface opposite to the first substrate, and the IC is formed on asurface of the wiring substrate, which is a surface on the firstsubstrate side.
 15. An optical disc according to claim 13, wherein theantenna includes antenna wiring of a spiral shape having a diameterdecreasing as it extends from the outer peripheral portion to an innerperipheral portion of the optical disc, and the antenna wiring isprovided with a plurality of bent portions where the diameter of theantenna wiring changes.
 16. An optical disc according to claim 13,further comprising: an information layer to/from which information canbe recorded/reproduced, wherein the information layer includes a metalreflection film, and the metal reflection film and the antenna areformed such that a thickness and a composition of the metal reflectionfilm are substantially the same as the metal reflection film and theantenna.
 17. A method for fabricating an optical disc comprising forminga first substrate having a disc shape, which has an embedding hole, andembedding a wiring substrate having the IC attached thereto into theembedding hole.
 18. A method for fabricating an optical disc accordingto claim 17, further comprising forming a second substrate having a discshape, which opposes the first substrate, and bonding the firstsubstrate and the second substrate via an adhesive layer.